Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
- Weakness, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, sweating, trembling, hunger pains, inability to concentrate or carry out coordinated movement, confusion etc.
- If untreated, unconsciousness, brain damage and death.
- Nightmares, waking up in cold sweat at night.
- In children, change in mood–unusually quiet or fretful.
- May occur without any warning signal especially in long–standing diabetics or in those taking certain drugs.
- Taking excess of insulin or anti–diabetic drugs.
- Take frequent small meals (3 major + 3 minor).
- Always eat something extra before hard work or exercise.
- Inform your parents/spouse/colleague at work place/class teacher about warning signals of hypoglycemia and its treatment.
- Keep a vial of injection Glucagons, 23 no. needle and syringe in your refrigerator as emergency measure.
- Carry your diabetic identity card at all times.
- Take two teaspoons of glucose or sugar, dissolved in water and rest at onset of hypoglycemia.
- If hypoglycemia does not subside within 10–15 minutes of taking glucose or sugar, dissolved in water and rest at onset of hypoglycemia.
- If hypoglycemia does not subside within 10–15 minutes of taking glucose or sugar, take two to three teaspoons of glucose of sugar.
- If glucose or sugar is not available, have a full juice, couple of sweet biscuits, syrup or candy.
- After taking the above, have a glass of milk or the next meal if it is due within half an hour.
- If you are driving a vehicle, switch it off and dismount it. Resume driving only if all symptoms have subsided after taking a heavy snack.
- You should not be forced to drink sugar solution if you are unable to swallow or are drowsy. A trained person may give injection Glucagons 1mg intramuscularly. You should be shifted to hospital or a doctor/ambulance should be summoned.
- Review you diet, activity and drugs with your doctor to find out cause of hypoglycemia.
